FEW readers will need to think very hard to make the connection between the good side and the bad side of our younger generation which we detail on Page 3 today.

We anticipate that the "schoolboy pranks" which have led to part of Worcester's Astwood Road Crematorium being damaged leave everyone as angry and bewildered as they do us.

We can't help feeling that city parks manager Ian Yates is being charitable by saying that this most recent damage "went a bit too far".

And, in adding that "it's something we have to expect", we trust he hasn't begun to accept the vandalism either. Because we must not.

That much is obvious from the efforts of another group of youngsters in the city.

Not only have these Prince's Trust volunteers set about the huge task of creating a nature trail at Cherry Orchard Primary School, they've raised the money to pay for the project as well.

"Their aim is to be of benefit to the community" is how their co-ordinator, Doug New, summarises the work. What a contrast.

If Ian Yates is right in his suspicions about which educational establishment the Astwood vandals attend, then we have a suggestion which might - just might - restore faith, confidence and property.

The school or college involved must take responsibility, on behalf of all its students, for putting right the damage.

Is it too much to except that, in doing so, the culprits or their peers begin to take pride and ownership in the results of their efforts, just as the Prince's Trust volunteers have? We hope not. It's at least worth trying to find out.